Blackpool

Wha have not update blog for more than 1 week liao. Why has it been so long it is because I am to busy loh. Life as a young single bachelor can be quite frustrating. Got to shop, cook
ur own meals, wash laundry, school works and so many other thing !!!
Wonder how other single students handle it ?

Ok due to the lack of time I will write very short note for the trip to blackpool. Basically the main attraction over there is their amusement park, a tall tower, a beach with quite a lot of piers and the usual small shops for shopoholic.


The tower is known as the blackpool tower. For it history and statistic will have to google to find out. Over there tourist like me queue up and pay to ride a lift up the top of the tower that shows the surrounding of blackpool which just shows a beach and all the bungalows the Britons live in. Recommendation: there is nothing spectacular about it.



Blackpool lies next to a coast therefore it is only natural that they have a beach And since it is just up north of Liverpool, they too have some war history. They have quite a ‘long’ beach. In this context long refers to the distance from the water to the shore and not the length of their coastline. I have some pictures in my album. What do tourist do on the beach? Well they offer pony rides to the little children so it is not wise to sun bath. But who will want to sun bath when the temperature is like 10-12 degrees and have those small irritating rain that dun make you wet but to make you feel even colder when the wind blows. The unique thing about I see is that the blackpoolians build quite a few piers into the sea. But these piers are not for ships but rather for restaurants, entertainment venues such as video arcade, shows, and etc.


There is also an aquarium but did not go it. Who cares about the aquarium when their main attraction is a large amusement park that offers up to 30 different rides and theaters to show award wining shows. For those who like to roller coaster rides, well this is the place to be in. No time for ride description so I move on. As for shows, they are very nice and last for 2 hours for those interested to know more about it email me. Oh before I forget I like to Recommend their oysters in their oyster bar cause they are darn good. Bet you will never taste something like that in Singapore. They cost 2.5 pounds for 3.



Shopping is the same that is to me so nothing to say. Why do I have to move on so fast because I have got to study soon. So look out for the next episode of Edmund’s adventure in UK.

Life in Manchester

Looking back at time, I realise I been in Manchester for 3 weeks now. Things had been great with only a few bits of problem but well I guess that is what makes life interesting. Since arriving, I notice that there is a lot of similarity between Manchester and Singapore. The people are friendly and very warming. If any of you think Singaporeans are not friendly and warming well maybe because of the looks. All Singaporeans I have know are very nice indeed but due to the pressure and hectic lifestyle it is understandable why one seldom see a smile on their face.

Other than people, there is also the traffic, supermarkets, shopping malls and other small things. Well for traffic we also drive on the left side, there is also the three colours use in the traffic light which serves the same purpose. Oh one thing the pedestrian crossing is not very friendly so it is very common to jay walk. I have not seen any wet market like those in Singapore but there are quite a lot of big supermarkets around where I live as well as in the city centre. They to are the same except you might find it that they also price their products with rates such as 2.3pounds per litre of beer even when u are buying a four pack which may cost say 4pounds. This does really help consumers to compare prices across the different supermarket. For those news article that you have been seeing in Singapore regarding cutting down the use of plastic bags. Well just to let you know Britain is not what some may think. They also serve their customers with plastic bags freely. There is really only one that I come across that requires you to pay for the bags. But their stuff is really cheap and good man. I also have a chance to visit the America supermarket giant “wall-mart” but it is known as ASDA in UK. To me it sounds Indian dun know why. Their only characteristic is that they have a huge car park in front of their mart. Like the one at “Giant” in IMM.

Today I just visit Cheshire Oaks a shopping mart somewhere just below Liverpool. Over here that are like up to 60+ retail shops (single story) that sell mainly clothes and other stuff such as cookery, chocolates, books and etc. These shops are divided into three main zones which encapsulate the carpark. After been to three different shopping malls, this is by far the cheapest a Briton can get his share of branded goods. Cause all shops are offering up to 50-70% discount of their normal retail price. Even so, it is not cheaper than those we can find in Singapore. However their formal wear for guys and the ladies are very nice. I have not seen something like that before in Singapore would like to buy but it cost about S$300 which is the cheapest. But to sum things up things at Singapore are better and cheaper but after a quick check on the standard of living, Manchester has a lower standard of living compare to Singapore. How do I measure? Well I have seen their job ads and they earn about the same amount of pay as us per annum. But their clothes, groceries and public transport is much cheaper than those in Singapore. Imagine that you can pay 2 dollars a week to take unlimited number of bus rides including night rider. When did SBS provide something like that?

For their petrol is like 91.9 pence per litre and 94.9 pence litre for diesel. For Singapore, petrol cost like 1.8 dollars per litre before I left for Manchester. Not to mention cars which are so much cheaper since they dun need COE. Wha talking about cars, I have seen 2 Lamborghinis, 2 or 3 Porsches, a fleet of Ferrari’s since their sales office is just behind the school. There are also a lot of mini coopers and different types of coupes as well. There is a well mix of varieties on the road over here as compare to in Singapore where you mainly see Japanese cars, followed by those merc, BMW and etc. Although their life style may seems very colourful, but trust me I think Singapore maybe better since it is better orgainse and has better maintain buildings and streets.

We know to get first class in UK is easy cause it only requires only 70 or 75% and above but after seeing how the lecture is being conducted, I change my though. I though I will never see chalk boards system anymore but guess not since they are still using it to teach in uni over here. Actually it is really interesting to see their chalk boards. Cause their can scroll up and down like your browsers to create a page feeling. Oh yah since it is a chalk board system, it also means you have to copy and make you own notes from scratch. Is it not interesting? For those slightly more advance lecturers, they will use OHP. So it means there will be a lot of transparency used right. But I saw another brilliant device which is like those old cassette tape. Where the user rolls the transparency from the top to the bottom. So you will have constant supply of clean transparency till the end of the roll. The advantage is that there is no more of those overlapping or falling of transparency which is so problematic. If possible will try to have a picture of it and show it on my blog. Now that is what I will say how simple innovation can improve our lives better. But really studying here is really very independent. Unlike Singapore where lecture notes are provided and being studied for in the exams. Over here it seems to me there is a need for a lot of reading so I guess I better get started if not I will start to lag behind.

Live Commentary from Old Trafford. MUFC vs. Benfica FC

It is now 6.00pm at Old Trafford. The weather looks fine and windy with temperature at 14 degrees. As you can see now the crowd has start to come in with fans surrounding the “make shift store” at the main entrance of the stadium while getting their souvenirs.

As we walk around checking the goods and their prices, we notice they are not genuine but it has a great variety of MUFC merchandise selling “cheaply”. After about half an hour touring the makeshift stalls we start to realize that a scarf that was design specially for today’s match has disappear from some of the stall display. With a quick check with the owner we realize the 6 pound scarf has sold out like hot cakes. We remembered seeing a remote stall located at the entrance to the north stand and quickly make our way there to check if there is anymore stock left. With lady luck shining on us, we manage to get hold of the last few scarves.


With the time getting late, we recall that the sales office has earlier advice us to enter the stadium half an hour before kick off. So we start to make our way in. Before entering, I quickly get a poorly make cheese burger with mustard at 3 pounds because I have not had dinner. At the entrance, we were force to open our bags to be check by the stewards for any dangerous objects. I was shock when I was told to remove my bottle cap from my bottle because they claim that it is dangerous. I was wondering why a small plastic cap will look dangerous and I was told that fans will use to throw all these stuff to the pitch and in the course hurting players. But I insist that without it the water in the bottle will spill and reluctantly they eventually let me in. Ironically, I saw their kiosk selling bottle dinks with the caps. Sigh maybe is due to miss communication.










When I finally entered the seating stands, I was greeted by players from both MUFC and Benfica warming up on the pitch. Now this is something you will not see on live TV coverage. But now with me reporting live every will get to see this images. You know where to find them if you have been reading my previous blogs. As the time approach the kick off timing which was schedule at 7.45pm, the players when into back into the changing room to change. At the same time the familiar UEFA representative start to come in and form up around the Champions League banner located at the middle of the pitch.

When the players eventually emerge from the dug out, the fans roar and chanted “United” “United” again and again until the players form up for the UEFA anthem. The match starts to get underway after with the usual formalities between the teams. As for the review of the match, I think you can get a more comprehensive or exciting version from soccernet.com. But just to let you know the crowd was constantly cheering for their team through out the match and of course the constant swearing is also included in the package. I think all the united players got fuck by the supporters behind me for not scoring till the 40min. Oh yah occasionally the reffree and the lines men is also being screwed for not opening their eyes. Just like in Singapore.
One of the best moments is when I mange to capture the last goal by Ruud van Nistelrooy's with Ryan Giggs taking the corner. I just have this feeling that they are going to score and quickly took out the camera They are the last few shots from my gallery. However due to the all the poor elements of photography the out come of the image is very blur. The last shot of the corner actually show Ruud van Nistelrooy's jumping up heading the ball. But the you cannot see the ball because it has GONE IN.

















Any way it was a fantastic experience that I will never forget. It is true what other said that watching live matching is really different from live telecast. The experience is beyond words for description. Only when you are here to watch it LIVE then will you understand. Oh one last thing, be prepare to spend lots of money cause the ticket for this match cost me 37 pounds and I think it is worth every pence with such a great game.
Signing off for nowEdmund

Trip to Liverpool

My first official trip to other parts of England after arrviving in Manchester for 2 weeks. Liverpool a city of arts and culture. This was selected because it is one of the nearest city from Manchester and not much planning is required. And since the place is not really huge, a day trip is sufficient.



The cheapest way around is by coach which cost me about 5 pounds for a return ticket from national express. The trip to liverpool is about about 55 minutes. When I reach there, the weather is actually quite cooling i suspect about 12-13 degrees cause I have to put on my jacket. I first arrive at a place that may look like a town hall but is actually a city museum known as THE Walker. Never have the chance to enter as it was not open when I arrived at Liverpool. Check my photos at yahoo. I try to arrange it in chnological order. It has a fountain and a very tall statue in front of it. After that I made my way to albert dock by pass the city centre and their shopping arcade again like those in Manchester. However there is a good feeling when i arrive at liverpool. It looks quite different from Manchester. I even thought that their shopping arcade looks better but may have less variety compare to Manchester.

Instead of going to Albert Dock directly, I went to the Mersey Ferry Terminal to buy a ticket to get a tour of the channel and also to get to the otherside of the river known as Wirral. When waiting for the ferry, My friends and got to know a german student, Victor, who is in london for some sort of sort term studies at chester. Anway he is a nice guy and he actually came to Liverpool because his grandma migrate to this city before later moving to America. Over at Wirral i only visit the Seacombe Aquarium which is an awfully small one that contain say 15 fish tanks and about 3 open pool that show some fish swiming around. What is sad is that the display fish are Sea bass and grey mullet which i think anyone in Singapore can find them at a market. There is also ONE small octopus. The main attraction they claim is a gaint conger eel. Well before I come to UK, I watch a few episodes of Japan hour which seems to be constantly introducing this micirale fish that is espcially popular amoung the Japs as a summer food. It is said to help delay ageing but i am not sure if it is ture or not. Well this gaint eel is at most about 1 meter long but this is my first time seeing it so at least i see something new. As for the open pool, it consist of some small size sting ray( can't recall what is the actual name) and 3 other varieties of other fish that i cannot recall their name as well. But there is any fish i also saw for the first time that swim side ways. Think there is a picture of it so look it up yourself. And that is the end. Well i think i cannot expect a lot from a 1.50 pound ticket huh.

After the "interesting" trip to liverpool, we went on to the marinetime museum that show case a great deal of boats and the history of the habour of liverpool. Apparently Liverpool is a major habour and was a critical location during the world war 2. The Atlantic battle which lasted 6 long years killing thousands of seaman from both the allied forces and the germans. This is also where the famous german U-boats where use extensively during the war. For those who dun know what is U-boats they are actually submarines. In all wars there are always heros and in this battle, there is this ship commander,Walker something. Those interested can go yahoo search for him cause i cannot recall everthing. Anyway he is a commander of about 7 fleets of excort vessals (small boats). What make him a hero well, he is said have destroy the most number of U-boats than any other commanders. It was said that he alone on a one of the days manage to sink up to 6 U-boats. How he do it is by using some sort for frequency devices. (I suspect it is later develop into sonars) This technique was later adopted by the others and thus turn the battle around during the later years. Well it is a great history lesson and the best part is all this are free. YES the museum in UK is free i heard and at least it is true in liverpool.

The next stop is to TATE Liverpool. This is by far worst visit I have made and i dun think i like to visit another ar gallary. This is because i cannot really comprehend what is it all about. There are really different type of art on display such as some oil base paints, pottery works and i think the others are just mordern art that i just find them disgusting. From simple figurines that show people getting chop-up to a picture of a jackel in a suit in arousing position with a girl to a scupture of a preg. woman with a see through womb thus showing the fetus. Yikes i just cannot go on anymore. Oh one think though i notice at the lobby has this love sculpture design which is actually similar to the one used in 2005 NDP lantern for those who can still recall. I wonder if the design got the idea from here hmm.


The last visit is to the Beatles Story. As the name suggest it is sort of a tribute to the biggest band in history Beatles. This is not free but for beatles fans this is really a good place to be. It shows the history of legends and their road map to star dorm. Frankly speaking i do not know much about the beatles except that they are really good that all. But after the tour, I think i can get a feel why they are so good. And even today their songs are being sang by other artiste. I was told by by the staff that there today there are more than 2000 version of "YESTERDAY" which was orignially sang by them. That is impressive.

Of course to complete the tour, we make our way to Mathew Street where "The Carven" was. This is where the beatles begin. Of course the orignal build was torn down and what is standing there is just a tourist attraction bar name "The Carven" but at least they have John Lennon statue displayed there.



In all it was a good trip with visit to different attractions and I have gain quite a lot of information on the history of Liverpool. And I also finally come to realise that liverpool seems to be more organise and the streets are wider than manchester. And when i came back to manchester at about 1030, the pubs and bars on the streets are filled with people like those in Moharmand Sultan on sat. except than there are just so many of them that i have not come across a street without them. Well this is a happening city after all.

First Dinner at City center of Manchester

The pass 2 days has been very tiring having to walk to 4 different departments to get my subject matching and planning of my timetable. Good thing I am meeting a friend whom i use to know back during the army days. I am actually very surprise that he called me on my cellphone. Why? Because I got a paid as u go sim card and i do not remember giving the number out to more than 10 People and most importantly I did not even tell my friend daniel that i am going to manchester. But somehow words get around and reach his ears after that when he came to manchester he check with a friend who is helping out with singapore society and from there he got my number.

This is just another example that shows just simiply how big may the world be, human interaction and technology just simply reduces the barrier. Anyway running a day around the school, I meet up with with him at city centre ( like orchard road) and went to this resturant at The Printworks call Nandos that serve only chicken sort of like Kenny rogers back at home. But only difference is of course the way the cook the chicken. Over at Nandos, The grill the chicken with different flavor of spiciness. Range from honey and herbs to very HOT. As Singaporean we will always go for the very HOT flavor. And WOW it taste great. Nothing that i have ever eaten. Or maybe because i have only bread for breakfast and lunch and been some really crappy food in the past week. But that does not matter. Because the story does not end here. Eating the chicken is nice, but wait till i dip into this extra HOT and Pepper source. It is just so tasty and spiciy. Phew being able to eat something like that after a busy and freezing cold night (about 9 degrees) just make my day. There is off couse the green salad. Just plan simple greens was also not bad together with it's salad source. Now why is it that i never had such good feeling after a chicken meal back in singapore, well that i dun know but it sure is something that i will look forward 2 the next time.

Anyway after the meal, I was just to tired and so i just went back to my hostel to sleep but my british flat mates are drinking and make a hell lot of noise as they party. Well maybe that is british culture for me. Guess I got to go out with them someother time to see what is it really like to be clubbing with the british at Uk.

Trip to Old trafford Home of the red devils

I set off from my hostel to UoM shopping centre and took bus number 250 to reach the famous ground of MUFC, Old trafford.
Me and my friend went to the museum and the tour of the stadium. It cause us 6 pounds because we are students otherwise it would have cause us 10pounds. While looking around we saw that tickets are for sale for the match on the 27 sept. It is a champions league match between benfica and MUFC. We were excited and when to book the tickets but we will only be notify when it is ready. The average cost of the seats are between 24 to 40 pounds but trust me these are very ordinary seats as most of the better seat are given to their season ticket holders and others like companies and etc.

Our tour starts at 1pm and this is the best tour I think i ever have. It took us from the North stands of the stadium which can hold up to 25000 + people to the new dug out where players ran out from there at the begining of the match. It also took us to their press lounge, changing rooms, vip and player's family holding area, the old dug out which was said to hold a large piece of MUFC history, players dining area and all the different seat at the stadium which range from those for directors which contribute money to the club, those for royalties, premier seat and of couse economy seats. The stadium is sure grand nothing like singapore national stadium. Currently they are upgrading to both side of the northstand which will extend the stadium capacity to 78000. It will be done by sept 2006 but i will not stay to catch it. Even with such a large stadium, the cleaniness of the stadium is tip top. As for the facilities of the stadium which includes first aid room, kisok for refreshments and most importantly lockup cells for trouble makers. This is sure a fantastic stadium.

After that we walk the meseum which houses all their previous trophies, medals, tributes to the great players that have played at the club, memories of the 1958 plane crash that kill 7 of their players and of course the emotional 1999 trebble that they have won. I stood at the trebble room watching the replay 3 times recalling how i use to stayup till 4am in singapore to watch that 2 fantastic goals scored at the 90 min. They feeling is great man. Nowonder it is one of the world biggest club and they sure have a long histroy. In fact they are turing 110 years old soon but then there were so much stuff and i cannot really recall their founding years.


And the last stop is at their mega mall. I have not been to the mega mall at singapore but over here at manchester, the mall is like a mid size suppermart at singapore containing all the MUFC merchandise. I have posted all the photos on yahoo photos indcluding some products. Let me know if you fancy any and maybe i can bring it back for you but you have to bear the cost of the product.


And nothing is better than visit old trafford on saturday and watch a match seeing them play against their rivials liverpool on sunday AFTERNOON. WOW this is the first time I get to watch a live EPL on an Afternoon. As for the venue, we went to a pub that sells all their beer under 2 pounds. I had a Carling and it sure taste blend just like water and it is easy to drink. The place was jam pack with people just to catch this match. The mood was like those in the advertisement or other media. It was roundy, loud and full of curses when the players almost make a goal. Sad to say the match ended in a 0-0 draw. And since there was no goal, there was no cheers at the pub as well. Maybe i will go on another day and see again how it is like when a goal is made by V.Nistelrooy or ronney. But then again maybe ronney is more like to be send off haha.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/shiershao23/my_photos

Chinatown In Manchester

On the 16 sept, I visit the chinatown and manchester. Many review said it is the biggest chinatown in europe and i was really excited. To further examplify that it is the the biggest, a golden arc is being built and said to be bigger and the design is more elraborate than that at LA,US. But when i see it up close, i am a bit disappointed because it just comprise of only say about 4 short streets. Even bugis village in singapore is bigger that the chinatown. But then again wait till a comparisson is being made to their market street (similar to orchard road). Their chinatown comprise of mainly resturant, 2 small groceries shops and some other administartive shops like helping with imigration, accountant firm and money transfer. For their groceries shop is quite comprihensive. It is quite supprising to see many items from china and singapore.

At market street, they have quite a lot of shops over there range from simple clothes to some top of the range like hugo boss. There is also ur mobile shops, hypermart pharmercy and etc. But then again even orchard road is longer in length compare to their market street cause i only take about 20-30 mins to complete my journey including shopping. And they shopping arcarde comprise of mainly shopehouse like ofcouse in much bigger scale. They are expanding this market street by building shopping malls which is like those in parkway parade and bugis seyu.
During my shopping, I saw a lot of items which the price is either similar or more than those that can be found in Singpaore shopping mall. Except for one particular shop call Primark I think. Their clothes is what one will call cheap and good. Most of the cloths are price at 3 pound to 25 pounds. For a long sleve office wear shirt, cost only 4 pounds. For long sleve t-shirt cost about 6 pounds. Jeans and pants cost around 4-6 pound. And the best of all their winter clothes cost around 12-18 pounds. Where to find all these in singapore at this price or maybe because i dun shop much back in singapore. Anyway think i will get some more clothes from there as for female cloths well they are just as cheap i think but i cannot confirm after all i dun shop for female clothes.

Their shopping mall also has food court but guess what. It comprise of Mac, KFC , pizza hut, some sandwitch shops but most interesting a singapore SAM. Singapore SAM is actually a stall that sells some singpaore food but mainly like those in chup chaye peng but is cost alot. for a meal it cost arount 4-6 pounds as for the rest of the fast food, u are likely to get it around 3-4 pounds. SO it is little wonder that it has no customers and just wondering when will it close shop. Sad.

Anyway my trip end here for the day look out for the pictures in my yahoo photo album.

First week in Manchester

Have just reach Manchester after a 17hrs grusome flight on Emirates. People say they service good hmm i personally dun think so but maybe because they are doing a comparisson with other airlines. If that is the case whao I will be glad to have chose emirates cause it is important to feel good during ur travel time otherwise one will suffer badly. But one thing i realise over at Manchester that is there seems to be a lot of students from India, sudi Ariabia and China. There is even a whole street that sells curry food, kerbabs and other exrotic foods from the middle east. If there is a chance i will post the picture.

On the whole the Orientation program at the University is quite good. And who say the administration is poorly handle. From what I see they are just as good as those in Singapore. They set up booths helping student to join clubs, opening bank account in manchester, insurance and even tours to the city centre on where you can get grocceries. At night they even teach dancing from salsa, argentina tango, line dance and etc. They teach you how to enjoy social life. Rather than like those Orientation in NTU which i gather from a friend of mine which sounds like boot camp from 6am in the morning to 2 am the following day through out the week. Glad i did not join those NTU orientation camps.

University of Manchester adopt a city campus. Sad that i have not manage to visit SMU to do a comparison but God is the campus big. I have to walk about 15 mins from the north campus to the south campus. There is this road which seperate the south Campus to the left and right side and the road is sure busy.

Well guess this is all for today. For the weekend I plan to visit Chinatown and of course Old trafford. There is a match on sunday between liverpool and Manchester at Old trafrord but I dun think i am rich and influence enough to get hold of the ticket. So like u guys i will most likely to watch it at a pub.